Summary
- Victoria 3 offers a captivating grand strategy gaming experience despite initial content criticisms.
- Sid Meier's Civilization 7 promises limitless potential and will likely keep players entertained for years.
- Hearts of Iron 3 provides strategic depth, keeping players engaged for hours with World War II scenarios.
The grand strategy genre is full of incredible games that will keep players busy for a long time. In fact, players who become enamored by these games and embark on several unique challenge runs can easily clock in upwards of a hundred hours (if not more).
Best Grand Strategy Games Set in the Modern Era
There's a ton of great grand strategy games set in the past, and these ones are the best ones set in the Modern era.
It's a testament to the sheer amount of content in these games that this statement rings true for most grand strategy titles that fans can get their hands on. A combination of content, a skill ceiling, and the overall fun factor dictates how many hours players can invest in their favorite games, and for those looking to sink countless hours into the realm of grand strategy gaming, here are the best titles to check out.
The featured grand strategy games will be ranked based on their overall quality.
8 Victoria 3
Despite Its Missteps, The Game Can Be Pretty Riveting
Victoria 3
- Released
- October 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence, Partial Nudity, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Victoria 3 is a great grand strategy game despite its missteps. Fans lamented the lack of content back when this game launched, but this perception has been somewhat overturned with time, courtesy of the many content packs and updates for this title.
As things stand, helping a nation achieve prosperity and power in the Victorian era is a huge part of what makes Victoria 3 special. Through countless hours, players will love governing different nations, either adhering to historical developments or carving a path of their own.
7 Sid Meier's Civilization 7
The Potential Of This Game Is Limitless And Will Keep Players Entertained For Years
Sid Meier's Civilization VII
- Released
- February 11, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, 4X
Civilization 7 hasn't enjoyed the strongest release, but most fans know that this is just a precursor of the things to come. After all, the game is bound to receive several updates and expansions that give players endless things to mess around with.
This ensures that players will be encouraged to come back to this game and sink in a ton of hours into it once again. By the time Civilization 7 kicks it into high gear, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that most players will have already clocked in more than a hundred hours of playtime.
6 Total War: Rome 2
One Of The Best And Most Successful Total War Games
Total War: Rome 2
- Released
- September 2, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
Total War: Rome is one of the best grand strategy games that fans of the genre can get their hands on, which made the development of a sequel a no-brainer. At launch, fans derided Rome 2 for feeling somewhat lacking compared to past titles in the genre, but it didn't take long for the game to turn its reputation around.
Best Grand Strategy Games For Building Empires From Scratch
Gamers who enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from forging an empire from scratch will find much to love in these grand strategy games.
Bugs were patched out, content was added in, and more and more people found an excuse to get into this title. Eventually, Total War: Rome 2 became one of the most successful titles in the Total War series that fans could spend countless hours on without getting bored.
5 Hearts Of Iron 3
The Strategic Depth Of This Title Will Keep Players Busy For Hours
Hearts of Iron III
- Released
- August 7, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E 10+ // Mild Violence
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
While Hearts of Iron 4 may be easier to get into, the reliance on RNG can be so frustrating for some players that they'll drop this title well before reaching the hundred-hour mark. In contrast, Hearts of Iron 3 gives players greater control over the strategies that were being followed during World War II.
Once players get over the steep learning curve, Hearts of Iron 3 will keep them glued to their screens for hours on end. Helping either the Allied or Axis Powers achieve important victories during a time of strife is a huge part of what makes this game so special.
4 Europa Universalis 4
The Quintessential Grand Strategy Game That Many Fans Can't Get Enough Of
Europa Universalis 4
- Released
- August 13, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Drug Reference, Mild Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Mild Violence
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Players who want to check out a complex grand strategy game that lets them facilitate the entry into the modern era for most nations will love what Europa Universalis 4 brings to the table. Fans tend to adore how great it feels to either help a large nation retain its power or change the trajectory of smaller powers and turn them into something special.
Europa Universalis 4 allows for a great deal of fun because of how sound and engaging the core gameplay loop is. Transforming nations into powerhouses makes for a great time, ensuring that players can comfortably spend countless hours enjoying the process.
3 Total War: Warhammer 2
The Best Game That Spawned From This Collaboration In The Eyes Of Many
Total War: Warhammer 2
- Released
- September 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
Fans who were pleading for Total War to explore fantasy IPs were glad to see their tie-up with the Warhammer franchise. The first game that was born from this collaboration was amazing in its own way, but it's the sequel that knocked most fans off their feet.
Warhammer 2 is one of the greatest fantasy-themed grand strategy games around, where players will love establishing their dominance in action-packed campaigns. Strategizing in massive battles and helping settlements become grander than ever is a huge part of what makes Total War: Warhammer 2 an addictive experience, ensuring that countless hours can be lost while playing.
2 Stellaris
Easy To Get Into And Intensely Captivating For Fans To Master
Stellaris
- Released
- May 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Violent References, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- 4X, Grand Strategy
Despite looking quite intimidating, Stellaris is perhaps the most beginner-friendly Paradox Interactive game that fans can get their hands on. This was the first time that the studio decided to tackle something original instead of taking notes from the past, leading to a refreshing experience that many gamers can't get enough of to this day.
Even with some contentious updates splitting fans down the middle, players will likely be surprised at how quickly time flies by in this game. Establishing trade routes, strengthening alliances, and waging intergalactic war is incredibly riveting and feels fresh even after fans have sunk hundreds of hours into the experience.
1 Crusader Kings 3
A Surprisingly Accessible And Riveting Grand Strategy Game
Crusader Kings 3
- Released
- September 1, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teens: Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Grand Strategy
Crusader Kings 3 is one of the most successful Paradox Interactive games by a country mile. This grand strategy masterpiece makes it easier than ever before for beginners to get into this experience before throwing them into the deep end.
Players can enjoy easier rules over powerful nations before deciding to challenge themselves in later runs. Every playthrough is a joyride for the ages and will likely result in countless players ending up wondering how they managed to play the game for six hours when they promised that they would get up after an hour or two.